Psalm 142:1-7, Psalm 57:1-3 NIV

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Psalms 142:6

Water. We can add nothing to this idea. (Calmet) --- Man can do no good without God's grace, which David implores with his hands stretched out, both to mortify himself, and to denote fervour. (Worthington) read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Psalms 142:7

Pit. Or "lake," meaning (Haydock) the grave. (Calmet) --- If man be left to himself, he will presently yield to sin, from which he will not be delivered without God's grace. read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Psalms 142:1-7

Cry for Help in Great Extremity. Maschil, a didactic poem, one teaching an important lesson, of David; a prayer when he was in the cave, either in that of Adullam, 1 Samuel 22, or in that of Engedi, 1 Samuel 24, teaching all believers the manner of praying to the Lord when trouble has reached its highest point. v. 1. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, in a loud appeal for help; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication, with great earnestness and importunity, imploring His... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Psalms 142:1-7

Psalms 142:0Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave2 I cried unto the Lord with my voice;With my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication.3 I poured out my complaint before him;I shewed before him my trouble.4 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,Then thou knewest my path.In the way wherein I walkedHave they privily laid a snare for me.5 I looked on my right hand, and beheld,But there was no man that would know me:Refuge failed me;No man cared for my... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Psalms 142:1-7

“No Man Cared for My Soul” Psalms 142:1-7 The cave was dark and shared by rough and lawless men with whom David had little sympathy. His gentle and devout spirit must often have craved for more congenial society. But he never ceased to cry and make supplication whenever his spirit was overwhelmed. Are you in that plight? Be comforted by the reflection that God knows your path. It is the predestined way, Ephesians 2:10 . Before the heavens or earth were made it was prepared. God foreknew all... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Psalms 142:1-7

In this psalm human need is yet more vividly set forth. Here is seen the consciousness resulting from the difficulties described in the previous psalm. Here there is a combination of fighting and fears within and without. The onslaught of the foe and the trembling heart constitute an experience which can only be described as that of a spirit overwhelmed. There are two notes running side by side throughout the song. The first is that of this terrible sense of helplessness and hopelessness so... read more

James Nisbet

James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 142:7

THE VICTORY OF FAITH‘Thou shalt deal bountifully with me.’Psalms 142:7 I. These words honoured God.—David was in the cave, praying and pouring out complaints. His ‘spirit was overwhelmed’; ‘refuge failed’ him; he was ‘brought very low’; the cry was wrung from him—‘Deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.’ And even ‘whiles he was speaking in prayer,’ the Spirit descends; he is strengthened with might in the inner man; and from the dark cavern of Adullam rises the shout of... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 142:1-7

CXLII. The Psalmist prays for help to God who knows his distress. His enemies are stronger than he, and there is none to help him, save God. The righteous will welcome his deliverance from the snares around him as a triumph of their own. In Psalms 142:4 follow mg. In Psalms 142:7 the “ prison” need not be taken in a literal sense. For “ compass me about,” render “ shall triumph because of me.” The ascription of the Ps. in the title to David in the “ cave” or rather “ fortress” of Adullam has... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Psalms 142:1

With my voice; either, 1. With the voice of my soul. But so this addition would be superfluous, and much more the repetition of it, because that is necessarily implied in the former word, I cried, and in the following, I make my supplication. Or rather, 2. With my corporeal voice, which the fervour of my soul forced me to use, when I could not do it without some danger, the enemy being at the mouth of the cave. And so this addition is emphatical, and therefore is repeated. But it is probable... read more